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キッチンのお姫さま [Kitchen no Ohime-sama] #Omnibus 1
Kitchen Princess Omnibus, Vol. 1
COOKING UP SOME LOVE
Najika is a great cook and she likes to make meals for the people she loves. But something is missing from her life. When she was a child, she met a boy who touched her heart – and now she’s determined to find him. The only clue Najika has is a silver spoon that leads her to the prestigious Seika Academy.
Attending Seika will be a challenge. Every kid at the school has a special talent, and the girls in Najika’s class think she doesn’t deserve to be there. But Sora and Daichi, two popular brothers who barely speak to each other, recognize Najika’s cooking talent for what it is – magical. Is either boy Najika’s mysterious prince?
This volume contains volumes 1 and 2 of Kitchen Princess.
Najika is a great cook and she likes to make meals for the people she loves. But something is missing from her life. When she was a child, she met a boy who touched her heart – and now she’s determined to find him. The only clue Najika has is a silver spoon that leads her to the prestigious Seika Academy.
Attending Seika will be a challenge. Every kid at the school has a special talent, and the girls in Najika’s class think she doesn’t deserve to be there. But Sora and Daichi, two popular brothers who barely speak to each other, recognize Najika’s cooking talent for what it is – magical. Is either boy Najika’s mysterious prince?
This volume contains volumes 1 and 2 of Kitchen Princess.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2012
183 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Natsumi Andō
77 books349 followers安藤なつみ, Andō Natsumi is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known for Zodiac P.I. as well as Kitchen Princess, for which she won the Kodansha Manga Award for children's manga in 2006.
Favorites: Donald Duck
Favourite manga: Ossu! Ichijin and Kimagure Orange Road
Favourites: meats and fruits
Hobbies: shopping, reading and watching TV
Favorites: Donald Duck
Favourite manga: Ossu! Ichijin and Kimagure Orange Road
Favourites: meats and fruits
Hobbies: shopping, reading and watching TV
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
December 5, 2016
Have you ever found yourself reading something and thinking that, you know, this is really quite excellent literature, EXCEPT for the fact that it neglects the monumental problem that is the difficulty of cooking the perfect flan and the power of said perfect flan to brighten the day of the most dejected soul?? If so, this is the book (and series) for you. It acknowledges the critical importance of being able to whip up not only the perfect flan, but also the perfect taramasalata, strawberry shortcake, and onion gratin soup.
What is the book actually about? Well, picture something like Super Mario Brothers or The Legend of Zelda, only with the visual look of Strawberry Shortcake meets Hello Kitty *IF* Strawberry Shortcake were revived in live action by the CW television network. And instead of killing goony monsters at the end of each level, you have to concoct the picture-perfect rainbow jelly parfait to win over your schoolmate enemies and the hot, vintage Jonathan Taylor Thomas-haired twin brothers with whom you have developed an intensely confusing love/hate relationship that makes your facial features explode in ALL the emojis.
Now, I know that probably not too many other readers born in the 70s, or in preceding or following decades, will be interested in a comic that recounts the story of a plucky adolescent girl who overcomes obstacles including supermodel boarding school mean girls, orphanhood, and confusing romantic crushes on Bieberesque brothers using only her stick-to-it-iveness and culinary arts skills. So, I'll try to make this review useful to a broader audience. My enjoyment of this book is a testimony to not only "reading harder," but also simply Reading Differently. While this certainly wasn't a taxing read in the traditional sense, I still feel like I gathered information about Japanese culture through this relatively lighthearted series widely enjoyed by tween girls. When I travel to other countries, I often feel like I learn so much about everyday life by shopping at the most workaday groceries, bodegas, markets, and kiosks I can find, and reading this manga was educational in a similar way.
This was also a great intro to manga by way of my love of cooking, one of my longtime and most beloved hobbies. Many, many years ago, I had a cookbook that contained an extensive list
of notable food-centered movies. I tracked these down and rented them, and together these served as my introduction to foreign and art film. Manga represent perhaps an even more foreboding and impenetrable world than erudite film, and cooking nonetheless offered an excellent point of entry. (This series would also make a fine, unexpected, unconventional entry to any list of books about food.) If you need to read some manga for a reading challenge or something, and you're feeling freaked out about it, then this series could be a good one. It legitimately conveys some of the visual language and tropes of manga while remaining (very) sweet and nonthreatening. So go snuggle up with some chocolate macaroons and enjoy!
What is the book actually about? Well, picture something like Super Mario Brothers or The Legend of Zelda, only with the visual look of Strawberry Shortcake meets Hello Kitty *IF* Strawberry Shortcake were revived in live action by the CW television network. And instead of killing goony monsters at the end of each level, you have to concoct the picture-perfect rainbow jelly parfait to win over your schoolmate enemies and the hot, vintage Jonathan Taylor Thomas-haired twin brothers with whom you have developed an intensely confusing love/hate relationship that makes your facial features explode in ALL the emojis.
Now, I know that probably not too many other readers born in the 70s, or in preceding or following decades, will be interested in a comic that recounts the story of a plucky adolescent girl who overcomes obstacles including supermodel boarding school mean girls, orphanhood, and confusing romantic crushes on Bieberesque brothers using only her stick-to-it-iveness and culinary arts skills. So, I'll try to make this review useful to a broader audience. My enjoyment of this book is a testimony to not only "reading harder," but also simply Reading Differently. While this certainly wasn't a taxing read in the traditional sense, I still feel like I gathered information about Japanese culture through this relatively lighthearted series widely enjoyed by tween girls. When I travel to other countries, I often feel like I learn so much about everyday life by shopping at the most workaday groceries, bodegas, markets, and kiosks I can find, and reading this manga was educational in a similar way.
This was also a great intro to manga by way of my love of cooking, one of my longtime and most beloved hobbies. Many, many years ago, I had a cookbook that contained an extensive list
of notable food-centered movies. I tracked these down and rented them, and together these served as my introduction to foreign and art film. Manga represent perhaps an even more foreboding and impenetrable world than erudite film, and cooking nonetheless offered an excellent point of entry. (This series would also make a fine, unexpected, unconventional entry to any list of books about food.) If you need to read some manga for a reading challenge or something, and you're feeling freaked out about it, then this series could be a good one. It legitimately conveys some of the visual language and tropes of manga while remaining (very) sweet and nonthreatening. So go snuggle up with some chocolate macaroons and enjoy!
December 19, 2019
Wow this really surprised me. Thought that it would be just a cute romance manga based on the cover but it tackled some really dark topics like bullying and eating disorders. I loved how quirky the main character was and how charming the male characters were. I would have given it five stars but the bullying did make me slightly uncomfortable.
April 6, 2014
THIS IS A REVIEW OF THE WHOLE SERIES.
OK I hardly ever get to do this anymore but I wanted to get my all and all out about this manga. If you wanna discuss, PLEASE DO! I love this manga first off and I'd reread it probably even if it wasn't too old. Esp. the first few volumes because there are lots of sidenotes about the art and what the writer likes to eat and cook. I didn't pay too much attention to the specials either. But I'm so glad I read vol. 10's special. It was so good and I'm glad for Akane.
Now, to summarize if you haven't read this, basically it's like my own story Beautiful Sun, in that there is someone who is out there (the Flan Prince) to help "save" the orphan girl who has no one. And when she starts school everyone hates her and thinks she isn't good enough to be there. It's so darling b/c as soon as she gets to school there is a boy in the mix. He is nice looking but the biggest jerk. Then soon after meeting him, there is another boy, equally nice looking but obviously the guy who is going to help her and watch over her.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ ANY SPOILERS STOP HERE! haha...
Later you find out boy #2 is brothers with boy #1. #1 being Daichi (don't you love that name?) and #2 is Sora. Or as Najika, the girl in distress, calls him Sora-Senpai. Which just means that he is someone in a higher rank than her. Sora-Senpai is stand in principal/president of the whole school (which is almost college sized, as high schools seem to be in Japan). Why you wonder? Because as you find out Sora and Daichi's FATHER is the one over the school!! Crazy huh? Well I kinda thought that after I saw that Sora-Senpai was leading things. But that was the real surprise. So immediately you are thinking Sora-Senpai is the Flan Prince, but not so fast. Before the end of the series you are thinking at least 3 guys could be it. Well to make a long summary short, Sora-Senpai says he is, but later we find he isn't. To top things off and make it worse, Sora-Senpai *weep* *OH NO weep* dies. Not immediately but I think in vol 5 which is halfway thru, tradegically enough by a car as he is trying to help Najika and right before he is supposed to tell her something (I'm assuming that he really does like her but he's not the Flan Prince). I hate it so much b/c even tho he's a liar for Daichi's sake (I'll explain) he seemed perf for Najika. Well... that ends up ok b/c if that had worked out I would've been VERY VERY salty about well... haha I'll tell you in a moment.
So after he dies then you are left wondering who is the Flan Prince. Daichi steps up and stops being such a slug (meaning lazy and who cares ish about life) b/c of Najika but also since Sora is gone. He looks geeky with glasses but some how more attractive still. I REALLY like Daichi, not when he was being a butt but probably by the 2nd volume I liked him (even tho he still was being a butt a bit of the time). He called Najika a monkey for a while and I really think he didn't like her (y'know like that) for a couple of volumes. It's so cool tho, cuz while Sora-Senpai was alive, Najika got to hang with the MOST popular and probably hottest guys at the school. Oddly, I don't remember seeing any other guys at the school haha. Daichi the cool one, Sora-Senpai the mature one. Najika herself was a very cool character, until she died. HAHA I'm just joking, Najika-chan doesn't die. But there was a lot of death/tragedy in this manga. Maybe that card was used too much, but I enjoyed it. Najika is so sweet but come on, food is not a super power that solves all things. Yet, I liked the virtues that they had in the manga through Najika and cooking. I REALLY like cooking so that's apart of what makes this manga worth it.
Now Akane is another chr. and she is very sweet in the end. She's a BUTT wipe in the beginning. But she softens a bit when Najika basically saves her from anorexia. See, Akane is a model, aspiring super model and she's so cute. I loved looking at the different hairstyles and outfits she had. She's a very nicely drawn character, and I'm glad. Would suck if she wass sorta ugly being a model in the story. I could look at pics of Akane for hours I'm sure. But I felt bad for her when it came to Daichi, her childhood love, that loved Najika. But the best part is, Akane gets over herself and Daichi. She faces Daichi, just like I did a boy in high school and after the reject she was fine, just like I was in high school (I'm so serious). This makes me love Akane. Her and Najika become best friends (I know a lil much, and no more drama ... but that's ok b/c by that time you get so caught up in Sora's death and angst from the Director aka the boys' father, that you are happy to see someone being nice to Najika). In the end Akane does get a boyfriend but you have to read volume 10's special!
So back to Daichi, it is pretty obvious that Daichi loves Najika but it takes him a while to tell her. In the meantime he is being his father's slave (kinda like how Sora did, but Sora did it cuz he loved his dad and didn't think his dad was evil), so that Najika could stay at the Academy. THis is not know by Najika. She is so innocent in a way, but then with Akane and other times she's very bold and knowledgable. But somehow she's unaware of what Daichi's going through.
Suddenly another guy that looks JUST LIKE Sora shows up. Now, why did the artist think this was a good idea i don't know. But I HATE that Seiya looks just like Sora. Sora-Senpai is sweet, kind, nice, gentle. S eiya is mean, prideful, spiteful, self-centered. But I guess it does go well with the whole Sora is dead, Najika thinking he's Sora. I loved how everyone was astonished at this guy. But it was a bit too much (in my mind) how he went from hating Najika to following her around, to being head over heels in love with her. Come on! Too much.
But then, done done done.... the biggest reveal of the whole book, which leads to the reveal of the true Flan Prince. I thought it was one of those drop off plotlines, the death of the brother's mother, the Director's wife. It started out and the tension with Daichi and Sora-senpai. But by the time Sora died, there was no word, I mean nothing on the topic for at least 2 or 3 volumes! And for this to only be 10 volumes long, that's like a 3rd of the series. But finally we find out, that (OK this will completely ruin the WHOLE series for you so skip to the last paragraph or just stop, either way -SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER we find out that it is Daichi who has essentially killed his own mother. But complete child-like stupidity of course, and he didn't actually "kill" her but caused her death b/c she was trying to save her baby. Sora knew it and as the older brother convinced dad to never tell Daichi til he was old enough to emotionally handle it. Well that wasn't ever gonna be a time. And it sure wasn't now, but the Director didn't tell Daichi, he just remembered it (suddenly). And it happened in Hakkido (or wherever that place is that Najika comes from lol), which means Daichi WAS there and he did meet Najika. Guess what? Yep, that means Daichi (the cool one turned mature, but still cool) is the Flan Prince. Lovely isn't it? :D
I loved the pairings in this manga.
Sora-senpaixNajika is the best. I mean the way Senpai comes on the scene, is definitely Knight in shining armor. And because Sora, although over-worked, was a type A personality, I REALLY liked him. I'm a type A too. I read somewhere, before I read the manga, more than one person saying how they hated Sora-senpai ;_; WHY!? That's just wrong. Sora didn't really do anything, except one lie which is no reason at all to hate him. I think they were either mixed up with Seiya (since they look alike) or they were just silly little girls.
DaichixAkane was never meant to be, it was just stupid. lol so I was glad that didn't go anywhere. But Akane doing much better afterwards was perfect. The only reason this would've been good is b/c they both were hotties, they both had black hair and they were childhood friends. And who doesn't want to marry their childhood crush?
NajikaxSeiya was STUPID-ER. Seiya, at the point he was when he was looking for a relationship w/her, would've been more of a bully type bf than anything and I'd hate to see Najika dominated like that. I'd hate to even think of her being abused verbally or something by that initial Seiya mindset. It would've been also sad to think of Najika just going along with Seiya simply on rebound and b/c he looked like Sora (which seemed to be starting to happen after they had the cheesecake "date"). However, as Seiya eased up and learned to love cooking again, Akane was able to turn his mindset to be more Sora-like, and yet still self-centered and prideful and bull-headed. In this way I could see the beautiful ending of ...
SeiyaxAkane. I mean it really was a good match up. Altho if Akane ended up alone it would've been just fine in my mind. She was independent and ready to conquer the world.
But the beloved NajikaxDaichi just had to happen. If it didn't, I would hate this manga. I truly think this would've been the straw to break the camels back, although the rest of the series was great. I mean, Daichi LOVED Najika and after being stupid a few times, he really showed himself true to her various times. He was there even when Senpai seemed to disconnect a bit. Daichi really was heartfelt, he was her FRIEND, not just love interest and that's why it was perfect.
There were lots of good tid bits throughout. I loved the recipes, and the issue where Fujita dressed normally was *droll* GOOD!! yes yes yes, more like it! I enjoyed his character, fun, funny and only once or twice did I think he was a complete good for nothing haha. I loved how his character developed. I think all the characters grew (except Seiya, he was there long enough to grow, it was more of a jump. Same with the Director, however, the director's chr. changed to us readers, yet if you think about it, it didn't jump - we just didn't know all the details of why he was acting the way he did).
As a side note, b/c I like name meanings: Najika means rainbow, Daichi means earth and Sora is sky (y'know, Soar)... kinda interesting since Najika starts out meeting Daichi, goes up and away from him to Sora, but ends up back with Daichi that she started with. Also that Sora dies and he is (supposedly everyone goes to heaven which they don't!) in the skies and untouchable.
I really loved this manga and hope it becomes an anime. The best thing tho is that my hubby acts like Daichi did in those first, I don't know, 7 or 8 volumes lol. I really like Daichi. So generally he is like Daichi in many fumbling, unsure, duh ways. lol. ok so maybe that's not the Best thing, but it's nice b/c then I don't daydream about some drawn character, cuz I have the real thing. However, this manga was so good and only 3x's did it mention God and it was in a realistic, not blasphemous way!!! I know, that never happens.
OK I hardly ever get to do this anymore but I wanted to get my all and all out about this manga. If you wanna discuss, PLEASE DO! I love this manga first off and I'd reread it probably even if it wasn't too old. Esp. the first few volumes because there are lots of sidenotes about the art and what the writer likes to eat and cook. I didn't pay too much attention to the specials either. But I'm so glad I read vol. 10's special. It was so good and I'm glad for Akane.
Now, to summarize if you haven't read this, basically it's like my own story Beautiful Sun, in that there is someone who is out there (the Flan Prince) to help "save" the orphan girl who has no one. And when she starts school everyone hates her and thinks she isn't good enough to be there. It's so darling b/c as soon as she gets to school there is a boy in the mix. He is nice looking but the biggest jerk. Then soon after meeting him, there is another boy, equally nice looking but obviously the guy who is going to help her and watch over her.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ ANY SPOILERS STOP HERE! haha...
Later you find out boy #2 is brothers with boy #1. #1 being Daichi (don't you love that name?) and #2 is Sora. Or as Najika, the girl in distress, calls him Sora-Senpai. Which just means that he is someone in a higher rank than her. Sora-Senpai is stand in principal/president of the whole school (which is almost college sized, as high schools seem to be in Japan). Why you wonder? Because as you find out Sora and Daichi's FATHER is the one over the school!! Crazy huh? Well I kinda thought that after I saw that Sora-Senpai was leading things. But that was the real surprise. So immediately you are thinking Sora-Senpai is the Flan Prince, but not so fast. Before the end of the series you are thinking at least 3 guys could be it. Well to make a long summary short, Sora-Senpai says he is, but later we find he isn't. To top things off and make it worse, Sora-Senpai *weep* *OH NO weep* dies. Not immediately but I think in vol 5 which is halfway thru, tradegically enough by a car as he is trying to help Najika and right before he is supposed to tell her something (I'm assuming that he really does like her but he's not the Flan Prince). I hate it so much b/c even tho he's a liar for Daichi's sake (I'll explain) he seemed perf for Najika. Well... that ends up ok b/c if that had worked out I would've been VERY VERY salty about well... haha I'll tell you in a moment.
So after he dies then you are left wondering who is the Flan Prince. Daichi steps up and stops being such a slug (meaning lazy and who cares ish about life) b/c of Najika but also since Sora is gone. He looks geeky with glasses but some how more attractive still. I REALLY like Daichi, not when he was being a butt but probably by the 2nd volume I liked him (even tho he still was being a butt a bit of the time). He called Najika a monkey for a while and I really think he didn't like her (y'know like that) for a couple of volumes. It's so cool tho, cuz while Sora-Senpai was alive, Najika got to hang with the MOST popular and probably hottest guys at the school. Oddly, I don't remember seeing any other guys at the school haha. Daichi the cool one, Sora-Senpai the mature one. Najika herself was a very cool character, until she died. HAHA I'm just joking, Najika-chan doesn't die. But there was a lot of death/tragedy in this manga. Maybe that card was used too much, but I enjoyed it. Najika is so sweet but come on, food is not a super power that solves all things. Yet, I liked the virtues that they had in the manga through Najika and cooking. I REALLY like cooking so that's apart of what makes this manga worth it.
Now Akane is another chr. and she is very sweet in the end. She's a BUTT wipe in the beginning. But she softens a bit when Najika basically saves her from anorexia. See, Akane is a model, aspiring super model and she's so cute. I loved looking at the different hairstyles and outfits she had. She's a very nicely drawn character, and I'm glad. Would suck if she wass sorta ugly being a model in the story. I could look at pics of Akane for hours I'm sure. But I felt bad for her when it came to Daichi, her childhood love, that loved Najika. But the best part is, Akane gets over herself and Daichi. She faces Daichi, just like I did a boy in high school and after the reject she was fine, just like I was in high school (I'm so serious). This makes me love Akane. Her and Najika become best friends (I know a lil much, and no more drama ... but that's ok b/c by that time you get so caught up in Sora's death and angst from the Director aka the boys' father, that you are happy to see someone being nice to Najika). In the end Akane does get a boyfriend but you have to read volume 10's special!
So back to Daichi, it is pretty obvious that Daichi loves Najika but it takes him a while to tell her. In the meantime he is being his father's slave (kinda like how Sora did, but Sora did it cuz he loved his dad and didn't think his dad was evil), so that Najika could stay at the Academy. THis is not know by Najika. She is so innocent in a way, but then with Akane and other times she's very bold and knowledgable. But somehow she's unaware of what Daichi's going through.
Suddenly another guy that looks JUST LIKE Sora shows up. Now, why did the artist think this was a good idea i don't know. But I HATE that Seiya looks just like Sora. Sora-Senpai is sweet, kind, nice, gentle. S eiya is mean, prideful, spiteful, self-centered. But I guess it does go well with the whole Sora is dead, Najika thinking he's Sora. I loved how everyone was astonished at this guy. But it was a bit too much (in my mind) how he went from hating Najika to following her around, to being head over heels in love with her. Come on! Too much.
But then, done done done.... the biggest reveal of the whole book, which leads to the reveal of the true Flan Prince. I thought it was one of those drop off plotlines, the death of the brother's mother, the Director's wife. It started out and the tension with Daichi and Sora-senpai. But by the time Sora died, there was no word, I mean nothing on the topic for at least 2 or 3 volumes! And for this to only be 10 volumes long, that's like a 3rd of the series. But finally we find out, that (OK this will completely ruin the WHOLE series for you so skip to the last paragraph or just stop, either way -SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER-SPOILER_SPOILER we find out that it is Daichi who has essentially killed his own mother. But complete child-like stupidity of course, and he didn't actually "kill" her but caused her death b/c she was trying to save her baby. Sora knew it and as the older brother convinced dad to never tell Daichi til he was old enough to emotionally handle it. Well that wasn't ever gonna be a time. And it sure wasn't now, but the Director didn't tell Daichi, he just remembered it (suddenly). And it happened in Hakkido (or wherever that place is that Najika comes from lol), which means Daichi WAS there and he did meet Najika. Guess what? Yep, that means Daichi (the cool one turned mature, but still cool) is the Flan Prince. Lovely isn't it? :D
I loved the pairings in this manga.
Sora-senpaixNajika is the best. I mean the way Senpai comes on the scene, is definitely Knight in shining armor. And because Sora, although over-worked, was a type A personality, I REALLY liked him. I'm a type A too. I read somewhere, before I read the manga, more than one person saying how they hated Sora-senpai ;_; WHY!? That's just wrong. Sora didn't really do anything, except one lie which is no reason at all to hate him. I think they were either mixed up with Seiya (since they look alike) or they were just silly little girls.
DaichixAkane was never meant to be, it was just stupid. lol so I was glad that didn't go anywhere. But Akane doing much better afterwards was perfect. The only reason this would've been good is b/c they both were hotties, they both had black hair and they were childhood friends. And who doesn't want to marry their childhood crush?
NajikaxSeiya was STUPID-ER. Seiya, at the point he was when he was looking for a relationship w/her, would've been more of a bully type bf than anything and I'd hate to see Najika dominated like that. I'd hate to even think of her being abused verbally or something by that initial Seiya mindset. It would've been also sad to think of Najika just going along with Seiya simply on rebound and b/c he looked like Sora (which seemed to be starting to happen after they had the cheesecake "date"). However, as Seiya eased up and learned to love cooking again, Akane was able to turn his mindset to be more Sora-like, and yet still self-centered and prideful and bull-headed. In this way I could see the beautiful ending of ...
SeiyaxAkane. I mean it really was a good match up. Altho if Akane ended up alone it would've been just fine in my mind. She was independent and ready to conquer the world.
But the beloved NajikaxDaichi just had to happen. If it didn't, I would hate this manga. I truly think this would've been the straw to break the camels back, although the rest of the series was great. I mean, Daichi LOVED Najika and after being stupid a few times, he really showed himself true to her various times. He was there even when Senpai seemed to disconnect a bit. Daichi really was heartfelt, he was her FRIEND, not just love interest and that's why it was perfect.
There were lots of good tid bits throughout. I loved the recipes, and the issue where Fujita dressed normally was *droll* GOOD!! yes yes yes, more like it! I enjoyed his character, fun, funny and only once or twice did I think he was a complete good for nothing haha. I loved how his character developed. I think all the characters grew (except Seiya, he was there long enough to grow, it was more of a jump. Same with the Director, however, the director's chr. changed to us readers, yet if you think about it, it didn't jump - we just didn't know all the details of why he was acting the way he did).
As a side note, b/c I like name meanings: Najika means rainbow, Daichi means earth and Sora is sky (y'know, Soar)... kinda interesting since Najika starts out meeting Daichi, goes up and away from him to Sora, but ends up back with Daichi that she started with. Also that Sora dies and he is (supposedly everyone goes to heaven which they don't!) in the skies and untouchable.
I really loved this manga and hope it becomes an anime. The best thing tho is that my hubby acts like Daichi did in those first, I don't know, 7 or 8 volumes lol. I really like Daichi. So generally he is like Daichi in many fumbling, unsure, duh ways. lol. ok so maybe that's not the Best thing, but it's nice b/c then I don't daydream about some drawn character, cuz I have the real thing. However, this manga was so good and only 3x's did it mention God and it was in a realistic, not blasphemous way!!! I know, that never happens.
April 3, 2022
the cutest manga ever, it hurts how underrated it is! it is way deeper and funnier than i expected, i will start reading the 2nd omnibus asap :3
November 24, 2025
love this, very nostalgic, reminds me of a different and simple time. especially like im 13 again reading similar stuff. love the cooking aspect and our main character actually isn't insufferable
March 18, 2022
MY COMFORT MANGA!!!! i have such an emotional attachment to this series and i've reread it at least three times, it never gets old 💗💗
November 4, 2019
I should preface this review by saying that I've already read the first four volumes of Kitchen Princess in the past, before these omnibus editions were released, so for me, this is also a refresher read. This is a series that is among my recommendations for readers who are just starting to get into manga, as a story that can be very light-hearted and uplifting but juggle harder-hitting topics and still be very classically "manga" all at once.
Kitchen Princess is about an orphaned girl named Najika, whose parents were famous chefs. Her parents died when she was young, and after their loss, she was shown kindness by a boy who shared a flan with her before having to run off, leaving her with a silver spoon that bore the emblem of a famous academy. Najika grows up and applies to enter Seika Academy in hopes of meeting her "flan prince" and repaying his kindness, and she is accepted on recommendation by the director into a "special" class with students who have varying impressive talents.
When the story kicks off, we get a sense even before it is revealed that Najika has a highly unusual gift for cooking and for taste, and that her humility about her gift (or lack of knowledge of that gift or both,) are genuine. She meets two brothers (the sons of the academy director) who are as different as night and day but both take interest in her, as well as a bully/rival in the form of young model, Akane. The story picks up gradually as Najika starts piecing together clues that one of the two brothers might be her flan prince, and as we see Akane struggling with developing an eating disorder as well, which starts to derail her aggression towards Najika by the end of the volume.
The first time I was going through these volumes, I remember getting the sense that not only does Najika feel very genuinely like a country girl having to adapt to a new and stressful environment, being forced to overcome odds due to the dislike she receives from some classmates, but her kindness to Akane is something to be admired. Additionally, Akane's struggles really hit home for me back in the day (and still do) with her eating disorder, but I think that's to the credit of the creators of the series; her eating disorder is handled in a very believable and respectful way, and I really love that.
Now that this review has dissolved into mindless rambling, I'm here to give you the final word that I love Kitchen Princess, I absolutely am planning to continue collecting the omnibus editions so I can finish reading the series as a whole, and I highly recommend it to everyone!
Kitchen Princess is about an orphaned girl named Najika, whose parents were famous chefs. Her parents died when she was young, and after their loss, she was shown kindness by a boy who shared a flan with her before having to run off, leaving her with a silver spoon that bore the emblem of a famous academy. Najika grows up and applies to enter Seika Academy in hopes of meeting her "flan prince" and repaying his kindness, and she is accepted on recommendation by the director into a "special" class with students who have varying impressive talents.
When the story kicks off, we get a sense even before it is revealed that Najika has a highly unusual gift for cooking and for taste, and that her humility about her gift (or lack of knowledge of that gift or both,) are genuine. She meets two brothers (the sons of the academy director) who are as different as night and day but both take interest in her, as well as a bully/rival in the form of young model, Akane. The story picks up gradually as Najika starts piecing together clues that one of the two brothers might be her flan prince, and as we see Akane struggling with developing an eating disorder as well, which starts to derail her aggression towards Najika by the end of the volume.
The first time I was going through these volumes, I remember getting the sense that not only does Najika feel very genuinely like a country girl having to adapt to a new and stressful environment, being forced to overcome odds due to the dislike she receives from some classmates, but her kindness to Akane is something to be admired. Additionally, Akane's struggles really hit home for me back in the day (and still do) with her eating disorder, but I think that's to the credit of the creators of the series; her eating disorder is handled in a very believable and respectful way, and I really love that.
Now that this review has dissolved into mindless rambling, I'm here to give you the final word that I love Kitchen Princess, I absolutely am planning to continue collecting the omnibus editions so I can finish reading the series as a whole, and I highly recommend it to everyone!
May 9, 2019
4.5 stars. Beautiful art! Seriously, I really loved it! Cute story and characters. I love all of the focus on cooking. I only wish the food was in color... although that would probably make me hungrier. The characters are all pretty interesting and endearing. I hope Najika and Akane become friends. I feel bad for Akane. The boys are intriguing. I want to know more about everyone! Overall, a solid story. I would recommend this manga!
January 12, 2018
This is an adorable manga series! Sometimes you just need something super sweet, and this fit the bill! Loved it!
March 11, 2022
Cute set up with lots and lots of drawings and descriptions of food. I love books that involve food and this one even had recipes!
But I was super surprised to stumble into a section depicting a character struggling with a serious eating disorder. Wow. That part was intense.
But I was super surprised to stumble into a section depicting a character struggling with a serious eating disorder. Wow. That part was intense.
April 24, 2024
Surprisingly, I've never heard of this series in my younger years, and reading this I'm instantly transported to that time! The tropes, the bullying, the school girls I would have smacked tf out of lmaooo
We have the set up so I suspect Daichi or his brother Sora is the Flan Prince. HOWEVER, for them to sit idle and let Najika get bullied,slapped,and disrespected by these witches is bs! I feel violent reading this series in between the sweet cooking moments, so hopefully, my blood pressure will survive.
We have the set up so I suspect Daichi or his brother Sora is the Flan Prince. HOWEVER, for them to sit idle and let Najika get bullied,slapped,and disrespected by these witches is bs! I feel violent reading this series in between the sweet cooking moments, so hopefully, my blood pressure will survive.
May 18, 2021
I forgot how cute this is.
October 5, 2022
This honestly made my heart so happy omg
And I love that you get the recipes for the food she cooks during the volume at the end 😭
And I love that you get the recipes for the food she cooks during the volume at the end 😭
February 21, 2023
This manga is my childhood 🥹and everything I need now… might try make some of the recipes here as I can cook now!
May 29, 2023
3.5
a cute fun time
a cute fun time
May 7, 2024
I love It so much!!!!
I also Like how the Recipes from the story are real Recipes that you can Find them In the book!
I also Like how the Recipes from the story are real Recipes that you can Find them In the book!
Read
June 11, 2024"You don't have to try hard if you don't want to."
April 3, 2024
Contains the first two volumes of Kitchen Princess and it is already so cute! I love the romantic conflict between the heroine and the two boys (Brothers? Can’t get more delicious than that). It is so fun and refreshing to see a female character who is actually a good cook, I feel like I’ve been seeing a big trope recently where female protagonists are just clumsy, ditzy, girls who are also horrible cooks. Najika is well-rounded, and I really enjoy watching her self-confidence grow!
*minor spoilers below*
HATE HATE HATE AKANE. (I legitimately cannot take any more of her.) Why is it that no one ever calls someone out for being a complete monster bully in manga? Is it like a cultural difference to just *gasp* and say someone’s name in a disapproving way when they slap someone across the face? Uhm, I’m sorry no. They should get a clapback real fast. Mad respect lost for everyone with how they handled that situation and all her other BS antics. I need less of her or she needs a big character shift, otherwise, I won’t be able to keep reading this series. It’s incorporating her too much.
*minor spoilers below*
HATE HATE HATE AKANE. (I legitimately cannot take any more of her.) Why is it that no one ever calls someone out for being a complete monster bully in manga? Is it like a cultural difference to just *gasp* and say someone’s name in a disapproving way when they slap someone across the face? Uhm, I’m sorry no. They should get a clapback real fast. Mad respect lost for everyone with how they handled that situation and all her other BS antics. I need less of her or she needs a big character shift, otherwise, I won’t be able to keep reading this series. It’s incorporating her too much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2019
This manga was phenomenal and a lot more serious than I expected. I thought it was just going to be about a cute girl who was going to go to pastry school but it was so much more. Granted she was cute and she did go to cooking school but I was surprised about how she didn’t fit in and how the other girls were so mean to her. This manga also deals with eating disorders so if that is a trigger be mindful. I was surprised that it delved into some darker topics, but I appreciated the balance that it created with the rest of the manga. I already own the second omnibus so I’ll be reading that soon.
January 2, 2021
Soo cute at the flashback of when she was little. Najika totally rocked the cooking competition
Click the link for the full review (book 1 and 2):
https://aglimpsethroughanopendoor.blo...
(This is the first book review for the year and I haven't written one in a long time so it may be a little rusty and short I will work to improve the quality :) Tip and suggestions are always welcome so feel free to leave them in the comments or message me (on Goodreads preferably))
Click the link for the full review (book 1 and 2):
https://aglimpsethroughanopendoor.blo...
(This is the first book review for the year and I haven't written one in a long time so it may be a little rusty and short I will work to improve the quality :) Tip and suggestions are always welcome so feel free to leave them in the comments or message me (on Goodreads preferably))
December 9, 2025
3.5 stars.
I love cooking manga or anime. They always intrigued me since childhood and I've enjoyed a lot of them. Kitchen Princess was something I came across as a kid, but by then I was simultaneously reading Cooking Master Boy and thought this manga just couldn't compare in the cooking department, so I dropped it early. As an adult, I'm allowing myself to enjoy it for what it is.
The cooking in Kitchen Princess isn't anything intense that'll make you keep turning the pages to find out what food will be made and how. This isn't like Food Wars, Yakitate!! Japan, Cooking Master Boy, or even Yumeiro Patissiere which, as cutesy as it is, is actually competitive with high stakes. Kitchen Princess is slower, more drama/slice-of-life, and romantic, and its cooking is less intriguing.
Najika was a cinnamon roll. She was sweet, wholesome, bubbly, and kindhearted. She is the type of character who, should she be a guy instead, I would fall for. The other girl characters in this omnibus so far was so hateful that it's hard to care for them.
Now the boys: Daichi and Sora. I had mixed feelings. Daichi was your typical cool tsundere, which is never my type, and Sora was supposed to be a gentle prince type but he came across creepy at times. He was a bit too touchy with girls (or only Najika?) and even kissed her on the cheek on the same day they were first introduced to each other. Maybe that kind of thing works in other culture but this is Japan. The gesture was culturally too much.
Overall this was a fun romance/drama/slice-of-life manga with heavy emphasis on cooking. Unfortunately, it falls a bit short in terms of explaining the technical aspects in the cooking. For example, Najika could recreate food made by a pro even with lower quality ingredients, but the 'how' wasn't explained. It was only 'oh, that's her talent'.
Although the cooking isn't explained technically in the main story, there's a real, genuine recipe for all of the food featured in the manga, which is a really sweet feature.
I love cooking manga or anime. They always intrigued me since childhood and I've enjoyed a lot of them. Kitchen Princess was something I came across as a kid, but by then I was simultaneously reading Cooking Master Boy and thought this manga just couldn't compare in the cooking department, so I dropped it early. As an adult, I'm allowing myself to enjoy it for what it is.
The cooking in Kitchen Princess isn't anything intense that'll make you keep turning the pages to find out what food will be made and how. This isn't like Food Wars, Yakitate!! Japan, Cooking Master Boy, or even Yumeiro Patissiere which, as cutesy as it is, is actually competitive with high stakes. Kitchen Princess is slower, more drama/slice-of-life, and romantic, and its cooking is less intriguing.
Najika was a cinnamon roll. She was sweet, wholesome, bubbly, and kindhearted. She is the type of character who, should she be a guy instead, I would fall for. The other girl characters in this omnibus so far was so hateful that it's hard to care for them.
Now the boys: Daichi and Sora. I had mixed feelings. Daichi was your typical cool tsundere, which is never my type, and Sora was supposed to be a gentle prince type but he came across creepy at times. He was a bit too touchy with girls (or only Najika?) and even kissed her on the cheek on the same day they were first introduced to each other. Maybe that kind of thing works in other culture but this is Japan. The gesture was culturally too much.
Overall this was a fun romance/drama/slice-of-life manga with heavy emphasis on cooking. Unfortunately, it falls a bit short in terms of explaining the technical aspects in the cooking. For example, Najika could recreate food made by a pro even with lower quality ingredients, but the 'how' wasn't explained. It was only 'oh, that's her talent'.
Although the cooking isn't explained technically in the main story, there's a real, genuine recipe for all of the food featured in the manga, which is a really sweet feature.
June 2, 2020
I was shocked at how fast I devoured this one. It doesn’t seem like anything new, but this volume has good writing and a fun theme. I’m inclined to like any manga that involves food prep or cooking and this one delivers - the addition of recipes at the end of each volume is a cute touch.
Najika comes to a prestigious academy to find her prince who helped her out when she was young. She’s plucky and strong and can bake like a champion. Also she has two potential love interests, though I think that outcome is pretty obvious (which is fine, it’s a solid pairing if I’m right).
In between all the baking she deals with some harsh bullying and then it gets really serious at the end as the book tackles eating disorders. That was quite the pivot and I don’t know that it was expertly handled, but I appreciated the attempt to add some gravitas to the usual story beats.
The art has a very Arina Tanemura style that is perfect for the tone and I quite liked it. Overall a very fun book and a new series on my list to catch up with.
Najika comes to a prestigious academy to find her prince who helped her out when she was young. She’s plucky and strong and can bake like a champion. Also she has two potential love interests, though I think that outcome is pretty obvious (which is fine, it’s a solid pairing if I’m right).
In between all the baking she deals with some harsh bullying and then it gets really serious at the end as the book tackles eating disorders. That was quite the pivot and I don’t know that it was expertly handled, but I appreciated the attempt to add some gravitas to the usual story beats.
The art has a very Arina Tanemura style that is perfect for the tone and I quite liked it. Overall a very fun book and a new series on my list to catch up with.
December 28, 2020
You know when you need something light and fluffy? Yup, this was good for the soul today and it was exactly why I brought it home to read during break. Najika has magical cooking abilities that aren't so far off just being really great and enthusiastic in the kitchen, but she's hoping by attending a prestigious academy that everyone gets in to based on a super-talent of theirs that she might find the boy of her dreams that she met long ago.
And along the way, she cooks up a storm. Recipes are included. Fun is a must. It's everything I wanted in a read that is enjoyable and pierces the heart with the arrow of a love of food and cooking/baking especially for the feelings it gives the cook/baker when someone falls in love with it and says it's "so good". I live for that feeling.
It upholds my favorite quote that I have no idea who said it: "Baking is love made edible." Amen.
And along the way, she cooks up a storm. Recipes are included. Fun is a must. It's everything I wanted in a read that is enjoyable and pierces the heart with the arrow of a love of food and cooking/baking especially for the feelings it gives the cook/baker when someone falls in love with it and says it's "so good". I live for that feeling.
It upholds my favorite quote that I have no idea who said it: "Baking is love made edible." Amen.
September 27, 2023
4.5 stars! I loved this bit of sweetness. I have wanted to read this ever since I was in a bookstore (the local Bay Area one) and a young teen woman freaked out about it, screeching the title, falling to the ground to grab it from the bottom shelf, to pull it out, repeatedly saying the title like "it's Kitchen Princess! It's Kitchen Princess!", to hugging it and revearing it with petting, to holding it up to me with the title out saying, "they have it! Kitchen Pirncess!" She got up and flounced away only to return in a trance, when she sat down and began reading it.
Well, I enjoyed it a bunch. I cried on a plane reading that last bit of volume 2 in the omnibus 1. So, thank you, random stranger, for loving this manga in such a memorable way I felt I had to eventually check this out.
(And, I want to try making the yogurt drink and rice cake).
Well, I enjoyed it a bunch. I cried on a plane reading that last bit of volume 2 in the omnibus 1. So, thank you, random stranger, for loving this manga in such a memorable way I felt I had to eventually check this out.
(And, I want to try making the yogurt drink and rice cake).
January 26, 2019
*4.5 Stars*
I always get apprehensive going into mangas/graphic novels that I won’t develop an attachment to the characters like in a typical novel. However, this one demolished my preconceived notions and I have developed a bond with all of the main characters. I would like a little bit more on some of the side characters, but this was good for now. The theme of cooking was slightly repetitive, but it was offset by the more serious topics that came into play during the second part of the omnibus. The issues that were touched upon made the story more serious and whole and I felt what each character was feeling throughout the whole second half: a mixture of happiness, confusion, defeat, desire, and the urge to help.
I always get apprehensive going into mangas/graphic novels that I won’t develop an attachment to the characters like in a typical novel. However, this one demolished my preconceived notions and I have developed a bond with all of the main characters. I would like a little bit more on some of the side characters, but this was good for now. The theme of cooking was slightly repetitive, but it was offset by the more serious topics that came into play during the second part of the omnibus. The issues that were touched upon made the story more serious and whole and I felt what each character was feeling throughout the whole second half: a mixture of happiness, confusion, defeat, desire, and the urge to help.
November 30, 2021
Najika is sent to a special school where she has high hopes of making new friends. Plus when she was small a boy made her feel special and gave her a spoon with the school emblem on it....she's hoping to find that boy again.....she's dreamed of finding him forever. But things aren't great at school and she's struggling to find happiness. The kids don't like her. The only one's who even talk to her are two strange brothers. But those brothers seem to have sway at the school which helps Najika. They let her cook which she does very well and it brings her joy. She cooks for the pleasure on peoples faces when they eat her food. She isn't feeling very welcome and wants to go home to her safe, happy home but with the brothers' encouragement she ay make it through.
January 26, 2022
*2 Stars*
TW: School bullying, Parental Death (off-page), Anorexia
Cute artwork, but the story suffers from its predictability. Kitchen Princess features an orphaned underdog who begins life at a new school, instantly attracting the attention of the two most eligible brothers on campus, one a golden child of perfection and one a surly hottie. She instantly gains bullies and is forced to fight for her chance to stay at the prestigious school, all while attempting to uncover the identity of a mysterious childhood friend from her past.
The artwork is well done, and the additional baking recipes were really sweet additions, but overall, there are better choices out there.
TW: School bullying, Parental Death (off-page), Anorexia
Cute artwork, but the story suffers from its predictability. Kitchen Princess features an orphaned underdog who begins life at a new school, instantly attracting the attention of the two most eligible brothers on campus, one a golden child of perfection and one a surly hottie. She instantly gains bullies and is forced to fight for her chance to stay at the prestigious school, all while attempting to uncover the identity of a mysterious childhood friend from her past.
The artwork is well done, and the additional baking recipes were really sweet additions, but overall, there are better choices out there.
December 28, 2022
FINDING HER FLAN PRINCE
rating: ★★★★
Najika Kazami has lived as an orphan ever since her parents, who were talented chefs, died in a car accident. Najika grows up to be a talented cook herself with a keen sense of finding multiple flavors in one food. As she gets accepted into an academy on a scholarship, Najika sets out on her journey to find her Flan Prince - the young boy who gave her flan while she was crying and missing her parents. She meets two brothers - Sora and Daichi - upon setting foot in the academy, as Najika has a long journey ahead of her, which will involve a lot of delicious cooking and baking.
I remember reading this back in middle school when I found it in the library, as this series was the very first manga I ever read in my life. The story holds a special place in my heart. After finding the first three omnibuses on Kindle Unlimited, I immediately dived right back in to relive my memories of this manga series. Kitchen Princess is a cute manga that has wonderful and decorative art, and a sweet story. I recommend this to all manga readers out there.
rating: ★★★★
Najika Kazami has lived as an orphan ever since her parents, who were talented chefs, died in a car accident. Najika grows up to be a talented cook herself with a keen sense of finding multiple flavors in one food. As she gets accepted into an academy on a scholarship, Najika sets out on her journey to find her Flan Prince - the young boy who gave her flan while she was crying and missing her parents. She meets two brothers - Sora and Daichi - upon setting foot in the academy, as Najika has a long journey ahead of her, which will involve a lot of delicious cooking and baking.
I remember reading this back in middle school when I found it in the library, as this series was the very first manga I ever read in my life. The story holds a special place in my heart. After finding the first three omnibuses on Kindle Unlimited, I immediately dived right back in to relive my memories of this manga series. Kitchen Princess is a cute manga that has wonderful and decorative art, and a sweet story. I recommend this to all manga readers out there.
November 10, 2018
I rather enjoyed this one, I really liked how upbeat the main character Najika is. All the talk of food doesn't hurt either! ;) Najika just wants people to be happy and she tries hard to make food that they would want to eat but also maybe something that they need in that moment. I guess she is really at the special school just to find a boy that helped her out, however she seems to really care about the new people she's meeting. Hopefully the series stays as sweet as this volume! See what I did there. ;)
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